Champions League key factor for Liverpool to lure Jan Vertonghen

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Liverpool’s impressive progress this season has not only seen them register their credentials as legitimate title contenders, but also as a target for for players aspiring to play in the Champions’ League. The huge strides made by Brendan Rodgers squad have already apparently tamed the caprice of Luis Suarez, who now seems settled in Liverpool red. The club also however has apparently caught the eye of Tottenham’s Belgian centre back Jan Vertonghen.

The Spurs defender hinted last week that he may pursue a move away from White Hart Lane if the club again falls short of qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition, and according to the Daily Mail, there may be a ready home for him at Anfield.

Despite Liverpool’s impressive scoring performances, the defensive unit, especially in the middle remains a problem for Rodgers. Although Martin Skrtel appears now to have established himself as first choice, neither Kolo Toure or the previously impressive Daniel Agger have managed to nail down the position alongside the Slovak national captain. Whilst Skrtel has logged over two dozen appearances, Agger has 19 and Toure a mere 14. It does not speak of a solid partnership in the most essential of defensive areas and a player of Vertonghan’s calibre could be the perfect answer.

Spurs fans, not to mention manager Tim Sherwood would be reluctant to sell Verntonghen to anyone, especially a Premier League rival, and it’s difficult imagining Spurs chairman Daniel Levy countenancing such a deal. The Premier League however is in a state of flux, and whilst Spurs appear to be largely treading water, eternally just outside of the top four elite, Liverpool have gatecrashed that paticular party and their kudos is very much on the rise at the moment.

It’s it is of course quite possible that Spurs could persuade Vertinghen to stay at White Hart Lane even if they failed to qualify for Champions’ League football. If a bid did come in from Liverpool however, it may cost the expense of an improved contract to dissuade the defender’, who joined the London club from Ajax in 2012 for just £12million, from pursuing his ambitions.